Deadly plane crash in Alaska

A plane crash at a remote US Air Force site in Alaska has claimed the lives of all eight people on board, the US military confirmed. The civilian-contracted aircraft plummeted shortly after midday local time on Thursday near Cape Newenham, which houses the airport of a long-range radar site. Two US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) employees were among the passengers, though the identities and purposes of the remaining six are currently unknown.

The US Air Force Alaskan Command described them as dedicated professionals undertaking a critical mission in a challenging environment. Lt Gen Robert Davis lamented the "devastating loss" for the military and the communities they serve, emphasizing that the top priority is supporting the families, friends, and fellow service members during this tragedy.

The plane originated from Anchorage International Airport, bound for Cape Newenham - a 450-mile (725 km) westward air journey. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation into the incident. Rescuers who arrived at the crash site confirmed there were no survivors.

The USACE, which chartered the plane, announced on Friday that they had confirmed two of their employees were aboard. The majority of the USACE workforce comprises civilians, not enlisted soldiers. The Cape Newenham site, located on Alaska's southwest coast, is part of the Alaska Radar System, a network of remote sites monitoring aircraft in Alaskan airspace.